Ex-N. Ind. Democratic leader faces fraud sentence

June 17, 2013

By The Associated Press

SOUTH BEND — A former Democratic county chairman in northern Indiana and a party worker convicted of forging signatures on petitions placing Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on the state’s 2008 presidential primary ballot should soon know their punishments.

Former St. Joseph County party chairman Butch Morgan and party member Dan Blythe are scheduled to be sentenced Monday afternoon.

The South Bend Tribune reports Morgan faces two to eight years in prison on charges of conspiracy to commit forgery. Blythe could be sentenced to up to 10 years on charges of forgery and falsifying a petition.

Both men were found guilty during trials in April, although they said they were innocent. Two co-defendants pleaded guilty and testified against them.

Neither man could be contacted for comment. Their phone numbers were unlisted.